The recruitment of Justin Schultz may have foreshadowed the direction the Edmonton Oilers were heading with their front office.

Desperately wanting the college star in their organization, the Oilers dispatched Craig MacTavish to be the point man on Operation Bag a Badger.

The new Oilers general manager was instrumental in convincing Schultz to sign with the club.

“He was very good at telling me what was going on here and telling me what was going on with the organization,” said Schultz. “He was a huge part of persuading me to come here and I’m excited that he’s going the GM of this team.”

Originally selected by the Anaheim in the second round — 43rd overall — of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Schultz, 22, became an unrestricted free agent when he was unable to come to terms on an entry level contract with the Ducks.

The Oilers were one of 29 teams that courted the defenceman, who eventually decided to sign a two-year deal in Edmonton.